Jensen and Yates Selected First Team All-NWC

SALEM, ORE. -- After recording its highest winning percentage since 1991 with a 10-6-3 overall record (.605), the Willamette University men's soccer team placed six players on the 2013 All-Northwest Conference Team. Honors were voted upon by the eight head coaches throughout the league.

After setting a program record of seven individual All-Conference selections in 2012, the Bearcats notched six more this year and have accumulated 13 total All-NWC honors in the past two seasons.

First Team All-Northwest Conference

Trevor Jensen (Sr., MF) earned his First Team selection this year after being named Second Team All-NWC in 2012. In 2013, Jensen recorded his best season as a Bearcat, leading the team in goals (10) and assists (7) for a total of 27 points. He successfully converted four of his five penalty kicks and came through with three game-winning goals.

Jensen's career ended with a bang last Saturday, Nov. 9. Taking on archrival Linfield College, Jensen recorded a hat trick, scoring all three of Willamette's goals in the 3-2 victory. His game-winner came on a penalty kick with 21 seconds left in the second overtime period.

During his Willamette career, Jensen totaled a school-record 18 assists, surpassing the previous record of 16 shared by Jeff Johnson (1982-83) and Dirk Hmura (1988-91).

He also compiled 17 goals, 52 total points, 139 shots and 62 shots on goal in his 72-match career.

Tyler Yates (So., MF) earned First Team All-NWC in just his second year in the Bearcat soccer program. As a freshman in 2012, Yates scored four goals and registered three assists while playing in all 19 matches.

This year, Yates stepped into a starting role for Willamette, appearing in the starting lineup 17 times in 19 matches. He produced five goals and two assists to rank third on the team in with 12 total points. Yates achieved results in crucial moments for the 2013 Bearcats, as two of his five goals were game-winners, including an overtime goal in a 3-2 win over Whitworth University on Sept. 22.

Second Team All-Northwest Conference

Braydon Calder (So., GK) was selected Second Team All-NWC after an outstanding year defending the net. After registering 82 saves for a 1.08 goals against average, Calder finished the 2013 season with a 9-5-3 record. He came away with four shutouts, and allowed only 18 goals in over 1,500 minutes. He also combined with other Willamette goalies to earn two shared shutouts.

During his two years, Calder has played in 33 matches with 31 starts. He owns a career record of 18-11-4 with a 1.21 goals against average for the Bearcats.

Honorable Mention All-Northwest Conference

Sam Gonzalez (So., D) served as an important part of the Bearcat defense this season. Starting in 18 matches, Gonzalez accumulated 1,457 minutes on the field.

His defensive efforts helped Willamette limit the opposition to a mere 21 goals scored throughout the team's 19 matches. He provided steady play that allowed WU to record seven shutouts.

Yazan Hishmeh (So., F) improved upon a stellar freshman season for his second consecutive Honorable Mention All-NWC selection. Leading the team with seven goals scored in 2012, Hishmeh upped that total to nine goals scored this season. He added 6 assists and ranked second on the team with 24 points.

While playing in every match for Willamette this fall, Hishmeh was a vital part of the team's offensive production. Along with his nine goals, he recorded 42 shots and 15 shots on goal.

Three of Hishmeh's goals came in a single match, when the sophomore forward earned a hat trick in Willamette's 5-0 victory over George Fox University.

During his two years at Willamette, he has scored 16 goals and eight assists for 40 career points.

Adan Vazquez (Sr., F) played in 19 games with 14 starts for the Bearcats this season. He scored a goal and notched two assists while ranking fifth on the team with 19 shots on goal.

Vazquez earned Second Team All-NWC honors in 2011 after scoring six goals and assisting on four others. In his four years at Willamette, Vazquez produced nine goals and 10 assists for 28 total points. He played in a total of 73 games for the Bearcats.

The 2013 Season

Willamette recorded double-digit wins in 2013 for the second consecutive season. The Bearcats finished the year at 10-6-3, marking the program's best winning percentage (.605) since 1991. WU achieved a 6-5-3 record (5th place) in the NWC. In 2012, the team earned a 10-7-2 overall record, including 7-5-2 in the NWC.

The Bearcats got off to a hot start this fall, winning their first three matches by a combined score of 13-0. Key wins for the 'Cats later in the season include their 3-2 overtime victory against Whitworth University -- which finished second in the NWC -- and a 3-0 shutout win over Pacific Lutheran University on Oct. 26.

Willamette achieved back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1993 and 1994.